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About this Publication:

'Vulnerable workers’ have not been adequately defined in South African jurisprudence, although they have been referred to in case law, and consequently the nature and scope of this concept remains unclear. There are also different categories of vulnerable workers in South Africa.

This book introduces students and practitioners to the law and to the practical problems experienced by vulnerable South African workers: those suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, those who are discriminated against based on their weight or their appearance, those who have been bullied at work, or those who may have opted for gender reassignment. Marginalisation and other forms of prejudice against these workers are well known, but the manner in which we address these issues is not clear.

Several other categories of workers, such as the sexually harassed, those living with AIDS, foreign workers, and sex workers may also be seen to be vulnerable (especially in the context of South Africa’s history).

Vulnerable Employees guides the reader through the basic principles of the law pertaining to the different categories of workers, and offers insight and guidance on the management of these individuals. The book sheds light on the most significant case law and applicable legislation, and proposes draft policies, where applicable.

Complex concepts and legal and other relevant principles are explained simply and clearly, without using unnecessary and complex legal jargon. This makes Vulnerable Employees a suitable book for students, for those who provide general advice and assistance to vulnerable workers or their employers, and for those needing to apply this knowledge in a business environment.

Contents Include:

Workplace bullies

Gender fluidity and sex variance in the world of work: The transgender experience